The saddest side effect of smoking is that matchbook/ashtray art has now gone to the wayside. I remember even as a child being fascinated by all of the different restaurant, resort and especially Vegas matchbooks that accumulated in vases and draws in most households.

Now that's a very hot idea! We still use matches to light candles, tea-lights, lanterns, diffusers and incense, barbecues, logs in the fireplace, or for torching the love letters of a romance gone bad. What better way than with the most beautiful fire starter possible?

I constantly fight myself about becoming too materialistic, but I do appreciate artists and craftspeople who make everyday objects things of beauty. Patricia, your artwork looks divine on the matchbox and would surely be snatched up first.

I'm VERY anti-smoking but must admit I have a tin full of my grandparent's restaurant, hotel, and bar matchbooks left over from the 1960's and 1970's. Also a few beautiful ashtrays from the 1940's and some kitschy border town bar and dancehall ashtrays from the 50's.

very clever indeed ... and i do love the one with your artwork best, pve ...the good ol wooden matches are a must in case a storm should blow up and you need to play guitar and drink wine by candlelight ...i hear rumbling,prairiegirl